Running-gear.



PATEN'IED JAN. 16, 1906.

F; D. LINGENFELTER.

' RUNNING GEAR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1905.

6 2W l nventor. W

Attorneys Witnesses F UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUNNING-GEAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1906.

Application filed July 19,1905- Serial N0- 270,419

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK D. LINGEN- FELTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Patrick, in the county of Laramie and State of Wyoming, have invented a new and useful Running-Gear, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to running-gear for vehicles; and it has particular reference to an improved connecting means for connecting the fifth-wheel with the reach, whereby a flexible connection shall be established which shall enable the front or steering axle to be rocked or tilted while passing over rough roads without straining other parts of the running-gear.

The objects of the invention are to provide simple and improved means for carrying the invention into practical operation.

WVith these and other ends in view, which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of the embodiment of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited; but that the right is reserved to any changes, alterations, and modifications to which recourse may be had within the scope of the invention and without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the efliciency of the same.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fifth-wheel constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, showing the same connected with the front end of a reach including converging bars, the latter being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a slight modification.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated throughout by similar characters of reference.

The fifth-wheel 1 of this invention has been shown of conventional shape, as used in buggies and light vehicles, the same consisting of a semgental member provided with a diametrical cross-bar 2, at right angles to which is a radial bar 3, having at its front end a perforation 4 for the passage of the draw-bolt, the lower end of which is connected with the rear part of the body of the fifthwheel by a brace B, passing beneath the axle A. Suitably connected, as by means of bolts 5 5, with the radial bar 3 is a rearward-extending bar or member 6, terminating directly behind the circle of the fifth-wheel in a spindle 7, provided at its inner and outer ends with annular flanges or collars 8 and having also an intermediate annular collar 9.

The reach, which in Figs. 1 and 2 has been shown as composed of forwardly-converging bars 10 10, supports at its front end a casting 11, including two flanged side members 12 12, engaging the reach members 10 10, with which they are connected, by means of screws, bolts, or other suitable means, Whereby the reach members are firmly secured in proper position with relation to each other. The casting 11 includes a box or bearing 13, which is provided with a central groove 10' for the accommodation of the intermediate annular collar 9 of the spindle 7, the collars 8 8 of said spindle abutting upon the ends of the bearing-box. The latter is provided with a detachable lid 14, provided at its edges with downwardly-extending flanges 15, engaging the sides of the base member of the bearing, so as to relieve the connecting-bolts 16 of unnecessary strain.

The fifth-wheel member 1 is provided at the ends of the diametrical bar 2 with recesses 17, affording seats for the head-block 18, which is mounted thereupon in the usual manner.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings has been illustrated a modification which consists simply in forming the spindle member 7 integral with the fifth-wheel member 1 and the radial bar 3 of the latter. This construction may be preferred at times on account of the decrease in the cost of manufacture, the entire casting being formed preferably of malleable iron, whereas under the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the spindle may be constructed of steel, which will obviously wear a longer time.

It will be understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, that the main object of the invention is to provide a swivel connection between the fifth-wheel and the reach, or, in other words, between the front axle and the reach, which will be effective to relieve the fifth-wheel from undue strain, and thus to prevent breakage.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation and advantages of this invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains. The improved device is simple in construction and may be provided at an extremely moderate expense, while on the other hand its application to a vehicle will greatly enhance the value and utility of the latter.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A fifth-wheel having a cross-bar and a longitudinally-disposed radial bar, the latter being perforated at its forward extremity for the passage of a draw-bolt, in combination with a spindle member extending rear- Wardly from and in alinement With the radial bar and provided with a plurality of collars, two of said collars being disposed at the ends of the spindle member and one intermediate between the ends; a boxing for said spindle abutting upon the terminal collars and annularly grooved for engagement with the intermediate collar; and a reach member connected with said boxing.

2. A fifth-Wheel having a cross-bar and a longitudinally-disposed radial bar, the latter being perforated at its forward extremity for the passage of adraw-bolt; in combination with a bar bolted upon the radial bar and having a rearwardly-extending spindle member provided with a plurality of collars; a boxing engaging said spindle member; and a reach member connected with said boxing.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK D. LINGENFELTER.

Witnesses:

W. E. OUTTs, J. A. ALooRN 

